Golf In Asia

BEST PUBLIC ACCESS COURSES IN ASIA
Yes, it's a totally subjective list and there are many others worth considering, but we believe these are the 10 best public access courses in Asia (note, two at Spring City, Kunming):

ALPINE, BANGKOK, THAILAND
Arguably, the best public-access course in Thailand. A wonderful test of golf as well as an exhilarating experience with a fabulous traditional clubhouse. Always superbly conditioned and prepared, it’s a must-play of more than 60 courses in and around the city. Its sister course, also named Alpine, is the best of numerous choices in Chiang Mai, north-west Thailand.

BA NA HILLS, DANANG, VIETNAM
Many good judges rate this as one of the great courses of South-East Asia. The undulating, long layout about 30 minutes west of Danang is challenging with many standout holes and is always set up for an enjoyable day out.

SPRING CITY (LAKEVIEW and MOUNTAIN COURSES), KUNMING, CHINA
Perhaps the best twin pair of courses in Asia, Singapore-owned Spring City has been wowing players for more than 20 years. The terraced Robert Trent Jones Jnr Lakeview course gets most attention because of its visual dramatic appeal, but the Nicklaus Mountain course is equally good and is a little more challenging.

BLACSKTONE, MISSION HILLS, HAINAN, CHINA
Part of the formidable Mission Hills 10-course resort stable near Haikou on China’s southern island of Hainan, this lava-strewn course is the best in the complex and perhaps the pick of all 22 courses in the Mission Hills stable on Hainan and near Shenzhen/Dongguan, close to Hong Kong. It has hosted professional and pro-am events and never fails to impress.

SIAM COUNTRY CLUB OLD COURSE, CHONBURI, THAILAND
A course that has won acclaim for 50-plus years since it opened in the early 1970s. Host of an annual LGPA event each February, it appeals to afficionados of classic parkland-style design. Always in great condition and close to four nearby Siam CC layouts with two separate clubhouses.

HOIANA SHORES, HOI AN, VIETNAM
A Robert Trent Jones Jnr links layout facing the East (South China) Sea, opened in 2019 that has since won widespread acclaim, boasting one of the best clubhouses in Vietnam. It is one of few true links golf experiences in the country. World Heritage-listed Hoi An is a delightful former trading city within 40 minutes’ drive of Danang’s international airport, providing another reason to stay and play Hoiana Shores.

THE BLUFFS, HO TRAM, VIETNAM
A Greg Norman design on the south-east coast of Vietnam, two hours from Ho Chi Minh City. Marked elevation changes and fabulous ocean views are coupled with an awesome playing experience, modern on-site hotel/casino and elevated clubhouse with views over the sea and much of the course itself.

BLUE CANYON (CANYON COURSE), PHUKET, THAILAND
Revamped in the past two years, the host of Johnnie Walker Classics in the late 1990s, the Canyon is an enticing risk-reward layout with numerous standout holes. Almost adjacent to Phuket International Airport, its signature par-4 13th canyon hole and following par-3 with an island green are standouts. Its adjacent Lakes course is also first-class.

SAUJANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
This 36-hole complex in Malaysia’s capital city provides the ultimate test of golf on the DP World Tour Palm course (known as the Cobra) and a somewhat less intense adjacent Bunga Raya layout. Both can be played midweek by visitors, with accommodation on site. It is regularly rated as Malaysia’s top golf experience and one of the world’s top 100 courses.

Photo: 10th and 18th greens at Blue Canyon, Phuket.

If you're looking for somewhere different for a golf holiday, check out Clark in the Philippines. Boasting 12 excellent courses within an hour's drive and three more planned or under construction, a new revamped international airport, high quality accommodation and plenty of after-golf activities, Clark is Asia's hottest new golf destination. Centred on Mimosa Plus with two 18-hole courses, Asia's top golf hotel (2024 World Golf Awards), new condos under construction, a strip mall with restaurants and additional shopping mall to open by year's end, it's truly a one-stop destination in its own right. The two Mimosa Plus layouts – Acacia and Mountain View – lie in the shadow of Mt Pinatubo and are among the best in the region, while a new 48-bay driving range and golf academy is ideal for beginners, juniors, women and competent players wishing to hone their game. Clark has direct flights from Dubai, Qatar, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo and is 80km by road north of Manila. Go to www.mimosaplusgolf.com for more information.

NO REMAKE FOR BALI NIRWANA ?
Whispers coming out of Bali suggest that the planned remake of Bali Nirwana Golf Club, closed in 2017 in readiness for becoming a Trump Golf facility, isn't going to happen. There's no confirmation yet, but Indonesian company MNC Land, which owns the property, is said to have pulled the plug on the development after the property's designation for other uses. The golf course, overlooking the Indian Ocean, was one of the most spectacular in Asia. Its 7th hole playing over the water towards the Tanah Lot temple (photo) was one of the most photographed holes on the planet.

If you're coming to Thailand this high season (Nov-Mar) you'll be paying top dollar as most courses have raised their rates for the busy time of year. You'll pay 6000 baht (USD175) walk-in to tee off at Blue Canyon's Canyon course in Phuket, 5000 baht (USD145) at nearby Laguna Golf Phuket, 6000 baht at Thai CC in Bangkok, 5500 baht at Alpine and Nikanti, and so on. Yes, there are some lower-priced opportunities, but you'll need to seek them out. Booking through a tour operator may save a few baht, but it's still going to be expensive. If you want cheaper options, look at Kanchanaburi, a couple of hours west of Bangkok, Khao Yai, north-east and Phang-na/Khao Sok provinces a couple of hours north of Phuket, or wait until after high season.
Photo: 18th green at Thai CC.